The latest news on Paramount’s pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery. Plus, NBA TV introduces a new game lineup and programming slate; 97.3 The Game changes formats; and news on Alyssa Lang, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Max Kellerman and Danny Green.
Paramount’s Ellison “considering his options” for WBD purchase
Paramount Skydance approached Warner Bros. Discovery in late September with an all-cash offer that was “heavily backed by the Ellisons” — chairman and CEO David and his father, Oracle CEO Larry — it was reported by Joe Flint and Lauren Thomas of The Wall Street Journal. WBD has not accepted any deal at the moment, and Paramount chairman and CEO David Ellison is said to be “considering his options,” something that could include going directly to shareholders with an offer. Citing people familiar with the mater, the report indicates that Apollo Global Management has told Paramount that it would supply debt financing in a potential offer.
It should be noted that purchasing Warner Bros. Discovery would require assuming its debt load of approximately $35 billion, of which a “not-insignificant portion” has been slated to Discovery Global should the spin-off be completed. WBD CFO and incoming Discovery CEO Gunnar Wiedenfels has said that the spinoff company could sell its 20% stake in Warner Bros., the planned streaming and studios company, prior to its official separation. This could be part of the reason why Paramount may look to close a deal before WBD is spun out, along with the potential for Warner Bros. sans the cable networks alluring more bidders.
Over the weekend, Michelle F. Davis, Thomas Buckley and Lucas Shaw of Bloomberg reported that the Warner Bros. Discovery board rejected an initial bid from Paramount for around $20/share, considering the offer to be too low. WBD CEO David Zaslav is reportedly valuing the streaming and studio unit at over $30/share.
Ellison did not comment on the potential of the company purchasing Warner Bros. Discovery during a recent interview with Shaw, but he shared that it would look to make acquisitions to add content. If the two companies reached a deal and received the necessary regulatory approvals, they would hold sports rights for several major properties through the CBS Sports and TNT Sports divisions.
NBA TV to feature 60 live games, new programming slate
The NBA, which took over production of NBA TV earlier this month, announced programming plans for the league-owned network on Monday — including a 60-game schedule of regular season games and a new flagship nightly program titled “The Association.” The latter program will air weeknights in primetime featuring host MJ Acosta-Ruiz alongside David Fizdale, Rudy Gay, Chris Haynes and John Wall.
The NBA said that the new show will “celebrate the game, players and the culture of the NBA,” in addition to the usual blend of news and real-time updates on live play.
In addition to the schedule of NBA, WNBA, NBA G League and Basketball Africa League contests — all of which aired in the previous iteration of NBA TV — the NBA will be collaborating with Sportradar to showcase live and on-demand games from international leagues around the world, including the National Basketball League in Australia, Ligue Nationale de Basket in France and Basketball Bundesliga in Germany. The league is also slated to present a look at potential future stars by televising U.S. high school basketball tournaments and prospects.
Other programming revealed includes a show where ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler will anchor one-on-one conversations with coaches; behind-the-scenes access to training camps around the league; several NBA podcasts; and a series revisiting the Oklahoma City Thunder championship narrated by forward Jalen Williams. NBA TV and the NBA App will serve as “a connected, global hub for basketball coverage,” the league said.
iHeartMedia flips 97.3 The Game to AC format
Following reports of layoffs across iHeartMedia last week, the 97.3 WRNW-FM frequency in Milwaukee, Wisc. has shifted away from sports talk and is broadcasting in the AC format as of Noon CT Monday. The change for the flagship home of Green Bay Packers football takes place in the middle of the season, and also coincides with the Milwaukee Brewers beginning the NLCS. In fact, the format flip took place following a preview of Game 1 of the NLCS taking place Monday night.
Programming that had previously been heard on 97.3 The Game will still be accessible through the iHeartMedia app and on 1070 The Game in Madison, Wisc. Morning host Steve Czaban, who, along with his partner Brian Butch, was reportedly laid off last week, posted on X that it was “[a]bsolutely jaw dropping” and that his “heart [hurts] for everyone.” Former host Mike Heller, who is said to have departed the station in early September, added that it was “[d]ifficult to understand any of this.”
Live game broadcasts for the Packers will be moving to 95.7 WRIT-FM, an iHeart-owned station in the classic hits format. Wisconsin Badgers games that previously aired on 97.3 The Game are also moving to the station as well. WRNW-FM had been broadcasting sports talk since November 2018 after it was previously formatted for contemporary hits. Program director Tim Scott was said to be part of the exits as well after he signed a new multiyear contract with the company earlier in the year.
Plus: Alyssa Lang, Monumental Sports Network, Max Kellerman, Danny Green
- ESPN is adding Alyssa Lang to its rotation of sideline reporters surrounding NBA coverage, according to a report from Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports. Lang, who has hosted programming for ESPN and SEC Network since 2018, will join Lisa Salters, Katie George and Jorge Sedano on the roster in addition to studio host Malika Andrews.
- Monumental Sports & Entertainment will be continuing its broadcast and content partnership with Audacy under a multiyear extension, it was announced on Monday. In addition to 106.7 The Fan becoming the flagship station of Washington Wizards basketball, the “BMitch and Finlay” midday show will join “The Sports Junkies” in being simulcast on Monumental Sports Network starting on Monday, Nov. 3.
- Max Kellerman is going to be calling Zuffa Boxing as the joint entity between Turki Alalshikh and TKO Group Holdings prepares to begin its five-year deal with Paramount, it was reported by Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports on Monday. Kellerman, a former ESPN radio and television personality, called the bout between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford this past September and also hosts “Inside the Ring” with Mike Coppinger and LeSean McCoy on DAZN.
- Three-time NBA champion Danny Green made his debut on Spectrum SportsNet working as a color commentator on Sunday’s Los Angeles Lakers preseason game alongside play-by-play announcer Bill Macdonald. Green, who was filling in for Stu Lantz, will be contributing to the network throughout the season with the studio team in addition to former Lakers champions James Worthy, Robert Horry and Derek Fisher.
